Electrical connector having a spring-biased line terminal



June 2, 1953 R. N. FALGE ET AL 2,640,970

ELECTRICAL CQNNECTOR HAVING A SPRING-BIASED LINE TERMINAL Filed June 13, 1950 (Ittomegs Patented June 2, 1953 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HAVING A SPRING-BIASED LINE TERDHNAL Robert N. Paige and David Paul. Clayton, Anderson, Ind., assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Dela- Application June 13, 1950, Serial No. 167,818

Claims.

This invention relates to a device for connecting the terminal ends of electrical conductors and has particular relation to a connector device or fixture especially applicable for connecting the terminals of a sealed beam headlamp for automobiles to the line terminals supplying electrical energy for operating the headlamp.

In connectors of this type heretofore employed it has been customary to provide an insulative housing having passages formed therein for receiving line terminals in one end of the passages and lamp or electrical device terminals in the opposite ends thereof. The passages are provided with spring clips or fasteners for holding the terminals in electrically contacting relation, the spring clips also being required to perform the function of holding the line terminals within the passages at all times after the assembly of the apparatus is completed but permitting the removal of the lamp terminals whenever it is desired to disconnect the headlamp from the connector device. These spring clips must be constructed to facilitate the assembly of the connector device and at the same time they must be formed in such way that when the device is once assembled they will hold the line and lamp terminals together so that the terminals not only will not become separated or disconnected but they will be held firmly together to provide efficient electrical contacting areas. In order to assemble connectors of this type it is necessary first to compress the springs or fastener so that they can be inserted in the passages in the insulative body of the connector. Then after assembly it must be possible to further compress and expand the fasteners so as to permit insertion and removal of the lamp terminals. It will be apparent therefore that the fasteners should be relatively easy to compress in order to facilitate assembly of the device and they should be harder to compress in order to provide the most efficient electrical contact efliciency between the line and lamp terminals which the device is required to connect.

t is therefore an object of the invention to provide an electrical connector consisting of an insulative body having passages formed therein for receiving line and electrical device terminals, and to provide in such passages resilient fastener means requiring different amounts of effort to compress the same under different conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electrical connector device with spring fasteners formed in such a way as to provide spaced and reversely related bends intermediate the ends of the fasteners so that certain operations of the fastener will affect one bend and other operations will affect another, thereby changing the spring characteristics of the fastener for different operative conditions of the fastener.

Other objects and features of advantage of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of an automobile headlamp, partly in elevation and partly in cross section, and illustrating an electrical connector embracing the principles of the invention.

Figure 2 is a View of the connector showing an end thereof adapted to have removably connected thereto a headlamp or other electrical device such as is illustrated by Figure 1. Figure 2 is taken on line 22 of Figure 1'.

Figure 3 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of the connector taken substantially in the plane of line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of the line terminal end of the connector, this being the end thereof opposite that illustrated by Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an exploded view showing perspective illustrations of the spring fastener and line terminal parts of the electrical connector illustrated by the preceding figures.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is employed an electrical connector Ill which is adapted to supply electrical energy for operating a headlamp or other electrical device ll through electrical conductors l2. One of the conductors I2 is a common ground connection for a pair of filaments such as may be employed in the headlamp I l, the other two being separate positive electrical supply conductors for each of the filaments so employed.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the headlamp ll comprises a so-called sealed beam reflector indicated at M which contains either a pair of filaments or a two-filament bulb, these normally being constructed in such :a way as to form integral parts of the reflector. The common ground terminal for the two filaments referred to is indicated by the left of the two numerals ll shown by Figure 4 While the minor or lower beam filament terminal is indicated at It and the major or upper beam filament, by the other numeral IT. The terminals l6 and ll project rearwardly from a radially projecting part l8 of the sealed beam reflector M, the part it being adapted to contain insulative material for supporting the terminals [6 and H in spaced relation .to one another. The terminal [6 pro- 3 jects normally from the part I8 between but offset from the terminals H, which also project normally from the part I8 in spaced and parallel relation to one another and to the terminal I6. The terminal I6 lies in a plane which is normal with respect'to "terminals: I I

The connector I is adapted to receive therein' the lamp terminals I6 and I1 and to hold these terminals in the connector in such a way that" they will not become displaced during the'operation of the motor vehicle with which-thewhead;

lamp II may be employed.

The connector I0 compriseseaninsulative body.

I9 through which is formed a p'lurality ofparallel" passages indicated at 2|, 22 -and 23. The-'passages 2| and 22 are adapted to receive adjacent one wall of each passage the parallel lamp terminals I I while the passage 23 is adapted to receive adjacent a wall of this passage, the lamp -termi-- nal I6. One of the electrical conductors I2 projects-into the end of th'e passage23 oppositerthat= receiving 'thelamp'terminal lfi awhile the other? two electrical conductors I 2 projectintottherends. 1

of the passages 2 I and22 opposite the ends receiving the lamp terminals I I;- 2 I 22 and 23 the electrical conductors I 2 terminate in a-line terminal'l2'4 'and:a'pairof line tere minals 26, these being adaptedito engage "the" lamp terminals I6 and IT for supplying electrical energy to the headlamp- I I:

Within passages: I

The lamp" terminals" I Grand I1 comprise" fiat rectangularly shaped fbars or.- prongssuch as are clearly 'indicated'in Figures :1 to 4 of the drawing:

while the terminaIsQI' and 26 comprise members such "as that indicated" at '24+'-26 in Figure 5.

The terminals -24="2 s comprise 'fiat'rectangularly shaped p'arts2'I having angularly turnedends 28 terminating in arcuate tips or tonguesf-29. The

terminals=24;-25 are pro'videdwitlr such configuration'for the: purpose of making it easy to laterally displace such terminals whenth'eterminals' I6 and :I I are projected into'engagement with the electrical contacting surfaces: thereof. parts 2! of such'term'inalprovide largeareas for conducting electrical energyto the' lamp stermi- Alsothe nals after the lamptermi-nals have been'brought into electrical contacting engagement therewith.-

At the opposite-ends: thereof the terminals 24'26'are transverselysevered and slotted in such manner as to 'provid'e' pairs"of"electricalconductor securing lugsiridica-ted at '3I' and 32, the'pairs-of lugs 3'Ibeing"'adaptedto be bent around and to engage the cable 'or 'wire' parts 33 of'th'e'conductors whileithe lugs 32 engage'the insulating sheath parts:"34' thereof; After the lugs 3I havebeen benttinto' eng'agement:with a."

wire or cable 33; a-good electrical contact'may be' provided therebetween either. by soldering the lugs to the wire -or cable or by-spotwelding the pa-rtsrtogetheri are cut diagonally asis indicated at '36 so as to permit the lugs to overlap one, another when bent nector IS and this bevel is positioned-oppositely The adjacent ends of the lugs 32' with respect to the angularly bent and arcuate end indicated at 28 and 29 of the line terminal 24 or 26 in each of the connector passages. It will therefore be apparent that the bevel 31 and the angularly turned and arcuate ends 28 and 29 willprovider awtapering-lslot'xindicated at 38 for facilitating the insertion of the lamp terminals within the passages of the connector.

The angularly turned ends 28 have converging side surfaces, thereon in order to reduce the wi'dths-oftheendportions relative to the contacting portions 2! and the arcuate portions 29 of the angularlyiturnedzzends .28 are formed at the end extremities 'of the angularly turned ends. To facilitate'assemblyof the device and to prevent interference uponthe insertion of the lamp terminalswithinvthetconnector, the arcuate ends 29 are relieved at the corners thereof as is indicated at 393 The reduced and arcuate ends 29 of the line terminals: 24 -26"! are" adapted to be-positioned between parallel closures'formed as integral parts These are adaptedi'tofproject partly acrossthe lamp ter minalrreceivingends of the passages '2I23 forthevpurpose of closing the passages at such ends except for the space between'thaadjacent edges of the iclosureswhich 'is' designed to permit the movement of the ends: 28" therebetween. The

closures: 4 I' terminate adjacent one FWQH of each of the terminal i'recei-ving passages to provide the notches or' lamp terminalireceivingrecesses 33 which project entirely across'each' of the terminal receiving passages.

After "assembly oftheiconnectorlll the 'line ter minals" 24 and; 26H thereof 3 are 1 permanently re-- tained" within the passages 21 -'2 3 thereof during.

the normal operation'ofi the device: However;

the 'l'ine'te-rminalsl'24 and 26;are positioned in the terminal passages-in such'ia way asto be'ilaterally movable "to permit the insertion of "the lamp terminals I 6 and' I I betWeen'ith'e line terminals and one 'wall :of each: of theterminal a receiving passages aspreviously'describedi The line termi- 11815924 and 26 are adaiptedato be resiliently held in 1 such position by "spring fasteners indicated generally at 42y OIleOfithB'ffiSbGIl'BI'S 42'is illustrated' in the'vi'ewshown-"by Figure 5.-

E'achof ithe fasteners-n42 comprises a bend 43 formed" intermediate: the opposite ends thereof thus: dividing the fastener 'intospring end parts indicatedat 44 and 46; The ends 44 are reinforcedxsbyiithe' formation therein of spaced and longitudinally disposed channel-shaped webs indicated at 41, these beingformed adjacent the oppositeeedges of =the end part 44' for the purpose ofifstiffening the fastener to decrease the tendency of thecen'ds'44 to bend when the fasteners 42 are; compressed Th'e'cfastener ends 46' 'are provided with inwardly 'dis'po'sed:bends'indicated at 48 which approach-but= do mot-engage :the ends 44 when'the fasteners 42 a-reconsti'ucted-and prior'to the time the fasteners are inserted in the parallel passagesformedinthe body I9. However, when theconnector' device II] is assembled and the fasteners are compressed in such manner asto beinsertable within the-parallel passages inthe body I9 the bends 443 are contracted in such manner as to permit the bends 48' to engage the reinforcing webs 'i-of 'the-fastener ends'44. When so assembled the fasteners 42 are constructed in such manner that the fastener ends and the parts ofthe fastener ends 46 beyond the bends 48 he xinparallel' relation within thepassages-and in relatively parallel relation to oppositely disposed walls of each of the passages. The parallel parts of the ends 46 of the fasteners are adapted to be disposed upon the rectangular parts 21 of the line terminals 24-2 5, the ends '44 thereof being adapted. to relatively closely engage the opposite walls of each of the passages throughout the greater part of the length of the fastener ends 44. The body I 9, the fasteners 42 and the line terminals 24-28 are all provided with cooperating bayonet-slot means whereby the fasteners secure the line terminals within the passages'of the'bod'y after the connector 10 is assembled. Such bayonet-slot means comprises openings 5| and 52 which are formed in the ends 44 and46 respectively of the fasteners 42, at the extremities of the fastener ends remote from the bends 43. openings 5| are adapted to receive lugs 53 which are formed on the walls of the terminal passages against which the ends 44 of the fasteners are adapted to be disposed. The lugs 53have vertically disposed walls 54 and angularly disposed walls 55 for permitting the fasteners tobe compressed within the passages and inserted therein from the line terminal ends of the passages but to prevent displacement of the fasteners when force is exerted thereon in a direction opposite that from which the fasteners were inserted in the passages during the assemblyof the connector. The fastener ends 44' are turned across the ends thereof as is indicated at 51 to facilitate movement of the fasteners over the angularly disposed surfaces 56 of the lugs 53 when the fasteners are inserted in the passages during assembly of the connector. The line terminals 24-26 also are provided with laterally disposed lugs indicated at 58 which are adapted to be received in the openings 52 in the fasteners 42 upon assembly of the connector [0. The lugs 58 are struck out laterally from the rectangular part 21 of the line terminals as is indicated at 59 and the ends of the lugs 58 are made of semicircular formation as is illustrated by Figure 5, to facilitate insertion of the lugs into the openings 52 upon assembly of the connector.

When assembling the device, the fasteners 42 and the line terminals 24-26 are first assembled outside the body l9 by positioning the openings 52 in the fasteners 42 over the lugs 58 projecting from the line terminals 24-26 and with the bends 43 disposed directly opposite the lugs 3| and 32 in which the conductors [2 are secured. Then by compressing the fasteners 42 until the straight ends 44 of the fasteners are parallel to the rectangular parts 2'! of the line terminals 24-26, it will be possible to insert both the line terminals and the fasteners within the terminal openings in the body 19 from the ends of the terminal passages opposite the lamp terminal receiving recesses 38. The subassembly so formed is thereafter positioned inwardly of the terminal passages until openings 5! pass over the-lugs 53, thereby permitting the fasteners to expand and the openings 5] thereof to receive the lugs 53. The fasteners 42 have angularly disposed portions 6! formed in the ends 46 thereof which are adapted to provide recesses within the fasteners and beyond the bends 43 for receiving the relatively enlarged parts of the line terminals in which the electrical conductors I2 are secured. To provide for further enlarging such recesses, one wall of each of the passages'2 I, 22,"and 23 is offset as is indicated at 62.

vIt will be apparentthat the connector 18 may b completely assembledby soinsertingone sub The p 6 assembly consisting of a fastener 42 and one of the lineterminals 24-26 into the line terminal end of each ofthe openings 2 I, 22, and 23. When the fasteners 42 are so compressed for assembly within the body I9, it will be apparent that the bends 48 will be brought into engagement with the reinforcing webs 41 of the relatively straight end parts of the fasteners indicated at. 44. It will be easy enough initially to bendathe fasteners at the bends 43 for so assembling the fasteners and the line terminals within the terminal passages, .but the force thereafter required to bend the fasteners will begreatly increased upon assembly of the device and upon engagement of the bends 48 with the fastener ends '44. Such increased force will be required because the engagement of the bends'48 with the ends 44 decreases the effective length of the ends 46, thus making it virtually necessary to bend a shorter length of the same spring. When so assembled it will be relatively impossible to pull the terminals 24-26 out of the passages in the body IS without first compressing the fasteners so as to relieve the openings 5| from the lugs 53. This of course may be done easily if desired by inserting a tool such as a screw driver under the bent ends 51 of the fastener ends 44 and prying upwardly thereon until the fastener ends are above the lugs 53. Then by pulling outwardly upon the electrical conductors for the connector the entire assembly of the fasteners 42 and line terminal ends 24-25 may be removed. 3

When using the connector In for the purpose of supplying electrical current to a lamp such as that indicated at I I it is necessary only to project the lamp terminals l6 and I1 through the recesses 38 and against the laterally bent ends 28-29 of the line terminals 24-25. Then by pushing on the lamp the lamp terminals may be made to displace the line terminals laterally with respect to the adjacent Walls of the terminal passages thereby permitting the lamp terminals to be inserted beneath the rectangular parts 21 of the line terminals and against the adjacent walls of the terminal passages. Such lateral displacement of the line terminals further compresses the fasteners 42 by bending the fastenersupon fulcrumpoints at the bends 48. Such bending of the fasteners upon the bends 48 requires considerably greater force than was required during the initial bending of the springs for assembly purposes and this greater force presses the adjacent surfaces of the line and lamp terminals in intimate contacting relation so as to provide a good electrical contact between the terminals.

It will be apparent that there will be critical relation between the force required for the lateral displacement of the line terminals and the force required to pushthe lamp terminals into the connector. In other words if the force required to compress the fasteners 42 about the bends 48 is too great it will be extremely diflicult to insert the lamp terminals into the connector by pushing on the lamp. On the other hand if the forcerequired for compressing the fasteners 42 is greatly reduced then it will be easy to displace the lamp relative to the connector to such an extent that a poor electrical contact will be formed between the lamp and line terminals of the connector. It is therefore proposed to make the fasteners 42 in such a way that they will be quite difficult to bend upon the bends 48 and then to reduce the force required to push the lamp terminals into the connector by providing relatively smooth and fiat surfaces'throughout the contacting areas of the th'ellaterally. turnedipartstz 84-2 910i the line -.ter:-

minals' and byimakingzsmooth: edges; andi-round: cornersraonavarious-1 parts that might; interfere with the insertion. ofrthelampterminals;

By such expedientsi; it willbea apparent that thesprovision ottgoodielectrical: contact may be I provided between i the :lamp L and:-: line terminals. without: requiringwexcessiveia force to insert a, the

lampzterminals into ithe conneotori Referringx'particularly tor. the: spring :such as thosea which: areriindicatedfjbyz the numerals 42,, itzwill-zbe: apparent thatc each. of: the-springs :is-

essentially: two:.springs:1 indicated 1. at:- 44 and: 4 B

and dividedby arbendi43zs The-springs. 44Iare: reinforced'ibyrtheiribssi 41 insuch. a::-way.- as to make: the springs: 44 actually ."stronger than the springs-r461 and; notwithstanding. the:- fact that botlnarezmadecout .oi: the same; material; Hence Whemiaload;fis-:.placed:.onthe two-.. ends 'of the,

sptingifli' such argway as :to "tend .to: bring the tWOoBIIdSEtOQBthEI'; itais apparent that the springs 46;will; be: stressed beyond the; elastic limit :beforez thes-springs 44 will? be' so: stressed. The springs 46-3therefore may-bezconsidered aszbeing the critical parts f. th-e;-springs-.-:42 andsthe: parts.

thereof! which i must: be: considered: in the event the; ends ofzthe 1 springs 42: are; to I be deflected towardone fanotherrto any-great extent.

It will be" further; noted, upon. examining the springs: 42;,that-thezparts o-fthe springs which have been referred to as being j'the springs-46 are also divided intoptlongqand short springs,

these --being;formed- 01oppositesides. of thebends/48.-

Ithas been previously stated in connection with the-description 10f. the:assemb1y.-of the connecton-device llLthatit-ris easier to depress. the springs-Atpriorto the time the bends. 48' engage-the -ribs- 41 :thanit is to depress .the springs thereafte-ri- Thissis merely-another way of say.- ing that theefulhlengthsof the springs 46 will be stressed to; a; greater extent by a. given force.

before the. bends. engage the ribs fl-than will the -long lengthsiofthe springs-48 be stressed by.

tha sameforce after. such engagement; What happens in then springs- 42r-asdisclosed is that the short lengths of the springs 46. are I subtractedvfrom the total .length of. the. springs. 46 after the springs 46 .have been .defiectedalmost to .the elastic. limit. of the material comprising the springs When .such event occursthe length of the. springs. 48. will then bedecrea-sed and since at part of v the load on the. springs .issupported by the bends .48., thereafter. a. greater force willv bereqnired todeflectthe. ends of .the springs 42 a given distance towardone .another.

lengthsoffthe springs. 46, then-the springswill bestrong'enand thereafter will oppose any. further deflection to. agreater, extent thanbefore. The-springs 42Ltherefore. maybe deflected to a given extent without.str essing..-any part. of the springs..45" beyondthe elastic limit of the materialthereof and a ,greaterforce will be required tosoldefiectthe-springs after the bends have engaged theribs 4'! than would be required were the bends not so to engage theeribse This is .particularly desirable in: anelectrical connector .suchnasethat indicated by the numeral Ill,where dimensionsv have alimiting effect on thesize: of any spring. that. may a be employed,

and-where. a-= given force-isrequired inorder'to provide ragged-electrical contact between the line andilampsterminalsiof-ithe.device; Suchameleo- Since a. greater, force. than ,-can beapplied to. the long,

s: trically:contacting forceimayxbe obtainedr'by dividing any given springintora; pluralityof springs of fishorteru length as. has heretoforebeen described, andi thenby stressing the successively shorter lengths of 'the-spring-alr'nost to the elasticzlimit as -has--previously been described. As each shortervlength of-spring comes into action, ai'greateri'force,Will' always be required tostress snohwnewlengthofspring to the elastic limit ofathematerial'thereof and therefore a greater force can; besappliedvby'the spring for any. desiredipurpose;

The; spring 42 has been found. in practice to pgerfomn inthismanner as'it is possible to ob- .tam-.aggreaterrelectrically contacting forcebetween. the-line and the lampterminals of the,

connector I0 .wi-thaspring formed to include the bends-48; thanuit is possibletoobtain with the.

same-connector andv the same spring and without the-bends- 48:.

Also, 7 it -has been mathematically determined that .the. springs; which are assumed to be divided-,-bythe.- bends- 48 into short "and long springsshavingrespective lengths equal to onethird-and two-thirds of the length of the springs 46,-will .stand 1.75. times as much deflection without-.being stressedbeyond theelastic limit as will similar springs without suchdivision. From these-computations,- and from tests performed, it

is apparent that a spring such as that disclosed sulativ'ebody having a pluralityoi parallel passagesfor receiving. lamp terminals for removable dis'positiontherein adjacent one of the Walls of each of. said passages and line terminals for engagementby said lamp terminals, spring-fastenersjdisposed insaid passages between said line terminalsand. an opposite wall of each of said passages and providing resilient engagementbetween saidline terminals and said lamp terminals,within saidpassages, said spring fasteners having a first'bend intermediate the ends thereof toprovide pairs of passage wall and line terminal engaging spring ends, said spring ends andsaid-opposite passage walls and said line terminalsbeing provided with associated interlocking means for normally retaining said fasteners and said'lineterminals Within said body passages, said wall "engaging spring ends bein provided with reinforcing means throughout the length thereof for stiffening-said wall engaging ends of 'said'fasteners, and each of said terminal" engaging spring ends being provided with further=intermediate bends, at least one of said intermediatebends in each of said terminal engagingrspring ends-engaging said wall engaging endswherebythe'resilient force applied by said fastenersto'said terminals and saidwalls is increased when said one of 'said'intermediate bends are: so -ienga'ged; and; angularly. disposed portions betweenasaid;intermediate ,bends. in each or said terminal engaging ends providing recesses in said fasteners for receiving the relatively enlarged line connecting ends of said line terminals.

2. An electrical connector comprising an insulative body having a plurality of parallel passages for receiving lamp terminals for removable disposition through one of the ends and adjacent one of the walls of each of said passages and line terminals for engagement by said lamp terminals, said line terminals having the line connecting ends of said terminals disposed adjacent and being received from the opposite ends of each of said passages, spring fasteners disposed in said passages between said line terminals and an opposite wall of each of said passages and providing resilient engagement between said line terminals and said lamp terminals within said passages, said spring fasteners having a first bend intermediate the ends thereof to provide pairs of passage wall and line terminal engaging spring ends, said spring ends and said opposite passage walls and said line terminals being provided with bayonet-slot means whereby said fasteners and said line terminals are normally retained within. said body passages, said spring ends having openings adjacent the extremities of said ends to provide the slots of said bayonet slot means, said wall engaging spring ends being provided with reinforcing means throughout the length thereof for stiffening said wall engaging ends of said fasteners, and each of said terminal engaging spring ends being provided with further intermediate bends, at least one of said intermediate bends in each of said terminal engaging spring ends engaging said wall engaging ends whereby the resilient force applied by said fasteners to said terminals and said walls is increased when said one of said intermediate bends are so engaged, and angularly disposed portions between said intermediate bends in each of said terminal engaging ends providing recesses in said fasteners for receiving the relatively enlarged line connecting ends of said line terminals.

3. An electrical connector comprising an insulative body having a passage for receiving line and electrical device terminals therein at opposite ends thereof, a spring fastener disposed in said. passage for resilient engagement with said body and with one of said terminals, said fastener having a first bend intermediate the ends thereof to provide terminal and body engaging spring ends for said fastener, said spring ends and body and said one of said terminals being provided with associated interlocking means for normally retaining said fastener and said one of said terminals within said body passage, said body end being provided with longitudinal reinforcing means for stiffening said body end, said terminal end being provided with further intermediate bends, at least one of said further bends being inwardly disposed for engagement with said body end whereby the effective length of said terminal end is decreased when said fastener is disposed in said passage, and an angularly disposed portion between said further intermediate bends in said terminal engaging end providing a recess in said fastener for receiving the relatively enlarged line connecting end of said line terminal and for maintaining said body end and said terminal end in parallel relation to one another whereby said terminals are maintained in good electrical contact.

4. An electrical connector comprising an insulative body having a passage for receiving line and electrical device terminals therein, said line terminal having an angularly bent end projecting toward the electrical device terminal receiving end of said passage, said angularly bent end being reduced in width and convexly curved and rounded at the corners adjacent the extremities thereof for facilitating the insertion of said device terminal in electrically contacting relation with a part of said line terminal beyond said angularly bent end, said part beyond said end being of elongated rectangular formation for providing an area of contact coextensive with respect to the configuration of the inserted and contacting portion of said device terminal, a spring fastener disposed in said passage for resilient engagement with said body and said terminals, said fastener having a first bend intermediate the ends thereof for providing terminal and body engaging spring ends for said fastener, said spring ends and said body and said line terminal being provided with associated interlocking means for normally retaining said fastoner and said line terminal within said body passage, one of said ends being provided with longitudinal reinforcing means for stiffening said one of said ends against bending, the other of said ends being provided with further intermediate bends, at least one of said further bends being inwardly disposed for engagement with said one of said ends, and an angularly disposed portion between said further intermediate bends in the other of said ends providing a recess in said fastener for receiving the relatively enlarged line connecting end of said line terminal and for maintaining said one of, said ends and said other of said ends in parallel relation to one another whereby said terminals are maintained in good electrical contact.

5. An electrical connector as defined by claim 4 wherein parallel closure members are provided adjacent the device terminal end of said passage, said closure members being disposed on opposite sides of said reduced line terminal end and permitting the operative movement of said reduced line terminal end in parallel relation to said closure members.

ROBERT N. FALGE. D. PAUL CLAYTON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNZTED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,231,417 Nero June 26, 1917 2,130,424 Grant Sept. 20, 1938 2,296,633 Falge Sept. 22, 1942 2,301,447 Parker et al Nov. 10, 1942 2,431,366 Buell Nov. 25, 1947 2,433,358 Garberding Dec. 30, 1947 2,539,230 Craig Jan. 23, 1951 

